In a very abnormally brave moment today, I got the courage to upload my very first edited video onto YouTube so as I could share with you just a little bit more about me!
My bravery didn’t stretch quite so far, as I couldn’t bring myself to actually talk out loud on the video – but have instead done a weird montage thing with a whole lot of A4 paper, a Sharpie and some odd questions!
I filmed this a few weeks ago as we were still waiting on the birth of little Xavier! But he’s here now and I can happily say I really do have 4 beautifully cheeky nephews!
I just wanted to make a quilt that was simple, modern and bright…and a bit boyish as well!
Here are some piccys I took along the way…
Ready for bastingLet’s get quilting!Quilting Lines | FrontQuilting Lines | BackIt’s Binding Time!Finished!
Current News:
I have a few projects on the go (as you do!):
String Quilt – ready for basting | Saving $$ for the copious amount of batting I’ll need to complete it!
A video! Whoo! I’m venturing into new territory here and have begun filming something special based around this quilt…
Mystery Film Quilt!
I’m a quarter of the way through filming and editing and will post it up ASAP. Oh and FYI, it won’t really be a teaching/tutorial video but more of a watch-and-see-how-a-quilt-is-made kinda video. Hopefully it works out!
That’s it today! I’m off to enjoy the winter afternoon sun!
As a follow-up from my 10 Things I Hate About Quilting post, it seems fit that I’d share with you the top 10 Things I Love About Quilting. Some are very simple pleasures while others are what keep me coming back!
In all honesty, it was hard to squash it all down into only 10 things, but I’ll try my very best to keep to it!
Love One: Seeing the development of an idea coming to life!
It’s sheer happiness watching a quilt coming together harmoniously – the fabrics contrast and match, all seams match up and the overall size is pleasing. It’s even better when you know the creation of the quilt came from inside your mind’s eye and that the finish product is now resting warmly in your lap…
Love Two: Binding a quilt.
I don’t know about you but I love it when it’s time to bind a quilt. I think it’s because I’m so close to finishing the job!
Let’s Get Sewing!
I think, ‘the hard part’s over (quilting!) and now it’s time to relax and loose myself in some therapeutic hand sewing!’ This usually involves a good movie or two!
As you do.
Love Three: Perfect seam joins!
A Perfect Seam Join!
Ohh, I swoon at perfect seam joins! My heart skips a beat and I feel all first-born-mother-proudish at producing something that is so clean, crisp and even.
Lame, I know.
But I can’t help it!
Please don’t judge me…
Love Four: Texture.
Textured Quilty Lines
That simple moment of pleasure when I stop my sewing machine and simply run my hand over the tactile surface of the quilted lines I’ve just sewn.
Simple, simple happiness.
Love Five: Chain stitching
It just gets stuff done!
And fast!
Love Six: Preparing to sew
I love taking the time just getting my sewing machine prepared and ready to go. From re-winding the bobbin, to threading the machine, changing the feet from a quarter-incher to a walking foot and getting to the stage of whirring my machine into life.
Each step I take is with great care and attention to detail (that’s thanks to my OCD Monster) and with a sense of gratification that I’m so lucky to possess such a wonderful tool!
Love Seven: Sharing
I love sharing what I’ve made (duh, that’s obvious – ‘hello little blog!’) whether that is here, on Pinterest, Flickr, Twitter or Facebook. I think it’s all down to that surge of happiness and pride you feel in one’s self of achieving something quite lovely.
I also think it must be a Gen Y thing, where we all feel the urge to share and divulge our lives to everyone and anyone who will listen…no? Yes.
Love Eight: Basting
There was a time in this young quilter’s life where I hated basting! I would put off basting a quilting for ages as it meant that I had to roll around on the floor, ever so ungracefully, and stick pins throughout the whole of the quilt.
Argh, no thanks!
Then, along came the discovery of a product called Quilt Basting Spray and my life was changed forever!
At first I was skeptical – ‘as if a spray could hold together three layers of a heavy quilt without any pins!? Nuh, that’s just ridiculous!’
Safe to say I was proven wrong (happily!) and I haven’t looked backed since.
Basting is now one of my most favouritist steps to undertake – it’s fast, it’s quick and it doesn’t take your back out! Yay!
Love Nine: Books
Books are one of the best tools a quilter could ever use!
About 85% of my quilting knowledge has come from books with about 10% from videos (Craftsy & YouTube) and 5% from people I know.
So, if you want to learn how to sew, quilt, knit, crochet, whatever, go and buy, borrow, preferably not steal, ask or share some books!
You won’t regret it.
I promise.
Love Ten: Making a quilt for someone special
It’s all about simple pleasures when you’re a quilter and the best one of all is the pleasure of making a quilt for someone special. Be it a family member (or impending family member), a friend, a client or for a group of people.
It really is pure happiness to use your own talents to create something so one-of-a-kind for someone who holds a special place in your heart….
Oh no! I’ve gone all gooey!
*snap out of it Amanda!*
And that’s it!
All ten things I love most about quilting.
They all definitely outweigh the ten things I hate about quilting – but catch me in a bad mood and I may just change my mind!
The other day, I ventured into my local library and made a beeline straight towards my favourite section: sewing & crafts!
There, I found a book on beginner Blackwork embroidery. I’ve always wanted to have a go at Blackwork, so naturally I borrowed the book out!
Here’s my very first attempt…
Traditionally, Blackwork is the process of embroidering geometric shapes and patterns onto even weave linen or Aida cloth and using black embroidery thread. This form of embroidery is known as a counted-stitch embroidery as a design is usually mapped out on gridded paper, resembling the surface nature of Aida cloth.
If you keep your wits about you, this really is a very fool-proof and easy way to embroider beautiful designs and projects!
I think I might just have to buy this book for myself now!
So over the past day or so I’ve been overloading my instagram feed with a whole bunch of quick pics of tools I use (and could not function without) within my sewing room.
#takealook
To see them all together check out my Flickr page!
3and3quarters 